Down Payment Calculator

Estimate your down payment, monthly housing costs, cash needed at closing, and how many months it may take to save your target.

Plan your down payment with confidence

This calculator helps you connect three key decisions: how much to put down, what your total monthly housing payment could look like, and how long it may take to save enough cash to close.

Need a deeper monthly amortization view? Try our Mortgage Calculator. Still deciding whether to rent or buy? Use the Rent vs Buy Calculator. Building savings first? Check the Savings Goal Calculator.

Methodology, Assumptions, and Limitations

Methodology: this tool estimates down payment amount, total cash to close, monthly housing cost, and time-to-save by combining home price, target down payment percentage, estimated closing costs, and user-entered savings pace.

Assumptions: closing costs are planning estimates, not lender disclosures. Savings projections assume contributions stay constant and do not account for investment volatility or shifting rates.

Limitations: actual cash-to-close varies with taxes, insurance setup, title fees, lender credits, prepaid items, and local rules. Use this tool for budgeting and scenario planning, then validate with lender documents.

Worked Example

On a $450,000 home, a 10% down target means more than just $45,000 saved. Buyers also need closing costs, reserve cash, and realistic monthly payment estimates. That is why a full cash-readiness model is more useful than a simple percentage target alone.

Primary Sources

Editorial Transparency

Last updated: March 9, 2026 · Author: CalcSharp Editorial Team · Reviewed by: CalcSharp Finance Review Desk

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I put down on a house?
A 20% down payment avoids PMI on many conventional loans, but many buyers put down less. Balance affordability, monthly payment comfort, and available cash reserves.
What is included in cash to close?
Typically: down payment plus closing costs. Closing costs often run 2% to 5% of the home price depending on lender fees, taxes, and local charges.
When does PMI apply?
PMI is usually required if your down payment is below 20% on a conventional mortgage. This tool applies PMI only below that threshold.
How is monthly mortgage payment estimated?
The estimate includes principal & interest, property tax, homeowners insurance, HOA, and PMI (if needed).
How long will it take to save my target?
The timeline is calculated as total cash needed divided by your monthly savings amount. If monthly savings is zero, timeline is not available.

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Mortgage Calculator → Rent vs Buy Calculator → Savings Goal Calculator →